Wheelchair lose out against Leeds

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Wheelchair fall to defeat against reigning Champions Leeds Rhinos.
• Wigan crossed for nine tries on the afternoon, but fell short against the Yorkshire outfit.
• FT | Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair 62-40 Wigan Warriors Wheelchair.

Alongside the Men’s and Women’s teams, our Wheelchair side also travelled across the Pennines this weekend to face Leeds Rhinos. It was a top of the table clash in the Wheelchair Super League.

Report

The action started right from the first whistle when the home side opened the scoring with a try right down the middle of the court but hitting back immediately, Declan Roberts was able to cross for two tries within quick succession and put Wigan 12-6 in front.

Taking further advantage, Matt Wooloff was next to touchdown for the Warriors, and with Roberts again successful from the tee, the lead was extended to 18-6.

Having now gone behind, the Rhinos regrouped and came back with a vengeance. Three tries in a row not only helped them level the scores but to take the lead once more. Their quick play the balls catching out the slow retreating defence to great effect.

With both teams vying for the top spot, it was always going to be a close encounter, and Wigan made it all square again when Declan Roberts completed his hat-trick. The successful conversion tied the scores at 24-all midway through the half.

It was becoming a real see-saw battle, and it was the turn of the Rhinos to score. Two more tries put them back in front and really hurt their opponents.

As we headed towards the break, it looked like Leeds would have a 10-point advantage, however, an unconverted try by Martin Norris was enough to keep Wigan within touching distance at half time.

Similar to the encounter between Wigan and Leeds earlier in the season, the lead was changing hands constantly and each team was bringing the scores level whenever they had the ball in hand. A second try for Norris, and a kick from Declan Roberts soon after the restart was enough to tie the scores once more at 34-34.

Back-to-back tries from the hosts allowed them to eke out a narrow but significant lead thereafter. Not willing to throw in the towel, the Warriors kept driving the ball forward. This gave them another opportunity to keep their opposition within arms reach, and it was a fourth try from Declan Roberts that did it. Also, with his sixth successful kick, Wigan were now just 6 points adrift.

This was about as close as it got for Wigan, because it was all Leeds for the final period. Three tries were scored by those in Amber and Blue, enough to give them the win and the 2 points.

Gallery:

Leeds Rhinos: Nathan Collins, James Simpson, Ewan Clibbens, Tom Halliwell, Jodie Boyd-Ward

Interchanges: Josh Butler, Paul Horrobin, Verity Smith

Tries: 11 tries

Goals: Collins 9/11

Wigan Warriors: Martin Norris, Declan Roberts, Adam Rigby, Phil Roberts, Matt Wooloff

Interchanges: Nathan Roberts, Mark Williams

Tries: D.Roberts (4), Wooloff, Norris (2)

Goals: D.Roberts 6/6, P.Roberts 0/1

The Warriors are back in action next Saturday when they host London Roosters at Robin Park Leisure Centre.